SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners retired the enduring No. 51 on Saturday, honoring Ichiro Suzuki in a pregame ceremony at T-Cell Park earlier than going through the Tampa Bay Rays.
“What’s up, Seattle!” Suzuki screamed. “I’m so grateful to be here today, to receive this highest honor.”
The latest Corridor of Fame inductee turns into simply the third Mariners participant to have his quantity retired by the franchise, becoming a member of legends Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24) and Edgar Martinez (No. 11).
“Congratulations on being inducted into the Hall of Fame and having your number retired,” Griffey mentioned in a video tribute. “It’s about damn time. I mean, what took you so long? I’ve been there for five years.”
Suzuki made historical past as the primary Japanese-born participant inducted into the Corridor of Fame, incomes a near-unanimous 99.7% of the vote from the Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America.
After spending eight seasons in Nippon Skilled Baseball, Suzuki made his main league debut on the age of 27. In his rookie season in 2001, he captured each the American League Rookie of the 12 months and Most Helpful Participant awards, changing into simply the second participant ever to take action in the identical season, becoming a member of Fred Lynn.
Over a 19-year MLB profession, Suzuki was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, two-time AL batting champion, and three-time Silver Slugger. He set the single-season hits document with 262 in 2004, which nonetheless stands immediately. Throughout NPB and MLB, he amassed 4,367 hits, together with 3,089 in MLB.
Earlier than Suzuki’s arrival, Corridor of Famer Randy Johnson additionally donned No. 51 for 9 seasons in Seattle.
Johnson threw the franchise’s first no-hitter in 1990 and received the Mariners’ first Cy Younger Award in 1995. After departing Seattle in 1998, The Huge Unit added 4 extra Cy Youngs and a World Sequence title with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“For nine years, that was the only number I had in Japan,” Suzuki mentioned. “(No.) 51 was my identity. But I knew that number already had a rich history here.”
However Seattle received’t neglect Johnson’s legacy. The membership introduced that in 2026 they will even retire Johnson’s No. 51, a novel and uncommon honor shared by two icons within the Pacific Northwest.
“I’m grateful to Randy for attending my ceremony today,” Suzuki mentioned. “It will be a great honor to attend his next season.”
After transient stints with the New York Yankees (2012–14) and Miami Marlins (2015–17), Suzuki returned to Seattle in 2018 and formally retired in 2019 following a two-game collection in Tokyo.
As Suzuki made his means in from heart discipline, chants of “Ich-i-ro! Ich-i-ro!” echoed all through a sold-out crowd. He was awaited by former teammates and Mariners Corridor of Fame members Johnson, Griffey, Jay Buhner, Alvin Davis, Felix Hernandez, Edgar Martinez and Dan Wilson.
“I’m also damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner,” Suzuki mentioned, referencing Griffey’s 2016 Corridor of Fame induction speech.
Chairman John Stanton introduced that the Mariners will place a statue of Suzuki at T-Cell Park in 2026. He mentioned it should characteristic his iconic batting stance pose.
Suzuki has remained a fixture with the Mariners, serving as a particular assistant to Stanton. Suzuki is usually seen in full uniform, understanding with gamers throughout pregame routines in Seattle.
“Although I can no longer help you with a hit or laser beam throw, my will and desire is always there for you,” Suzuki mentioned.
